Parents' Guide to

Girlfriend Intervention

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Makeovers push positive body image but utilize stereotypes.

TV Lifetime Reality TV 2014
Girlfriend Intervention Poster Image

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What's the Story?

GIRLFRIEND INTERVENTION is an unscripted makeover series featuring four women determined to bring out what they believe is the loud black woman trapped inside every white girl. Reality show host Tanisha Thomas, stylist coach Tiffiny Dixon, hair and makeup stylist Tracy Balan, and renowned interior designer Nikki Chu work together to help white women regain the self-confidence they've lost over the years. The four African-American women stage a girlfriend intervention, during which they give their subject a wake-up call about how she looks and try to understand her insecurities. After experimenting with new outfits, making over her hair and makeup, and creating a space in her home that acts as her sanctuary, they hope she feels better by looking better and remind her that feeling confident is less about size and shape and all about attitude.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

From helping women find clothes that positively accentuate their body types to encouraging women to be honest about how they feel about themselves and why, the cast highlights how important it is for women of all shapes and sizes to be comfortable with their bodies despite the fact that mainstream fashion and culture usually celebrates unrealistic body types. They also underscore how necessary it is for women to take the time to take care of themselves, regardless of how hectic their lives are.

The cast makes stereotypical generalizations to celebrate a confident and positive self-image they believe African-American women have, and they emphasize how empowering this self-assurance can be for all women. The approach may be misguided, but ultimately, the show sends the universal message that no matter who you are, true beauty is about having self-confidence and not about your dress size.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about differences among various racial/ethnic communities. Different cultures have different standards of beauty. What are some of the benefits that come from sharing these differences? Is it appropriate for one group to impose its standards on the other? What messages does this show send about the different ways women from different cultures think about their bodies and body types?

  • What are some of the stereotypes about African-American and white women displayed on this show? Do these generalizations fit with your own experience? Are stereotypes ever appropriate to use, even if they're meant to highlight differences between people or to be funny?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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